Glossary

Exclusion

A provision listing causes of death or circumstances a policy will not pay for, such as suicide in the first two years or certain aviation deaths.

Also called: policy exclusion

An exclusion is a policy provision that removes certain causes of death or situations from coverage. When a death falls under an exclusion, the insurer typically refunds the premiums paid instead of paying the death benefit. Exclusions are written into the policy or added by endorsement, and they must be stated clearly.

Most modern individual life policies have few exclusions. The near-universal one is the suicide clause, which limits the payout if the insured dies by suicide within the first two years (one year in a few states). Some policies, especially for applicants with risky jobs, hobbies or travel plans, exclude deaths from aviation other than as a fare-paying passenger, from specific activities such as skydiving, or from war. Accidental death and AD&D coverage carries much longer lists. Hypothetical example: an applicant who skydives accepts a policy with an aviation-sports exclusion instead of a higher premium. If he later dies skydiving, the beneficiary receives a refund of premiums, but a death from illness is fully covered.

Exclusions differ from the contestability period, which lets an insurer challenge misstatements on the application. Read the exclusions section before you buy, and ask whether a flat extra could replace an exclusion. See what life insurance doesn't cover: exclusions to know and war, terrorism and aviation exclusions in life insurance.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026

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Related terms

Suicide clause A life insurance provision that limits the payout to a refund of premiums if the insured dies by suicide within an early period, usually two years. Incontestability clause A provision that bars the insurer from voiding coverage over application misstatements once it has been in force for two years during the insured's life. Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage that pays only when an accident causes death or the loss of a limb, sight, speech or hearing; illness and most natural causes are not covered. Flat extra An added premium charged per $1,000 of coverage for a specific risk, such as a dangerous job, hobby or recent cancer, on top of the base rate. Claimant The person or entity that files for a policy's benefits, usually a named beneficiary, executor or assignee after the insured's death.

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